Coaches can help create a positive sporting environment and reduce poor behaviour by being good role models. To do this they can:
Encourage fair play
- Respect opponents, spectators and officials
- Thank the officials and opposition after the game – teach your players to do the same.
Uphold your club’s code of conduct
- Understand, uphold and support your club’s code of conduct for coaches.
For coaches of junior sport, it’s also important to help kids enjoy sport
- Emphasise trying hard and having fun, not only winning. Use our Let Kids be Kids resources and videos to promote positive messages at junior sport.
- Never ridicule or yell at a child for making a mistake.
- Communicate with parents – arrange a pre-season meeting to discuss expectations.
- Always greet and welcome parents.
Respect officials
- Accept decisions by officials – they are only human and can make mistakes.
- Deal with any issues in a controlled and professional manner after the game.
- Understand that yelling at officials, particularly verbal abuse, can have serious ramifications for your sport, not least on the harm it is doing to young players.